Malcolm Brogdon Faces Former Team Amid Slow Start with Wizards

On November 18, 2024, Malcolm Brogdon made his season debut for the Washington Wizards against the Detroit Pistons. The veteran guard managed to score just one point in the 22 minutes he played, following his recovery from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb that he sustained in early October. Brogdon’s limited performance was noted by various sources as he came off the bench for the Wizards, who acquired him in an offseason trade from the Portland Trail Blazers.

Brogdon’s future with the Wizards remains uncertain as he plays on an expiring $22.5 million contract, making him a potential candidate for trade before the February deadline. His journey to Washington has been eventful, marked by a notable stint with the Boston Celtics, where he served as a key bench player. During his season with the Celtics, Brogdon contributed significantly to their Eastern Conference Finals run and was awarded the Sixth Man of the Year title, averaging 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 48.4% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range.

However, Brogdon’s relationship with the Celtics became strained following their attempt to trade him to the Los Angeles Clippers during the offseason. Although the deal with the Clippers fell through, he was subsequently traded to the Trail Blazers. Brogdon’s time in Portland was short-lived as he appeared in only 39 games, without the chance to face his former Boston teammates on the court.

Now with the Wizards, Brogdon is scheduled to face the Celtics for the first time since his days with the Indiana Pacers. In his return from the injury, Brogdon has appeared in two games, where he has struggled, averaging just four points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists over 20.5 minutes per game. Despite these underwhelming statistics, Brogdon remains optimistic about proving his worth, particularly against his former Boston squad, to which he maintains a good relationship with his past teammates.

The Washington Wizards, contending with a nine-game losing streak, will host the reigning NBA champions, the Boston Celtics. Brogdon’s performance could provide not only a personal morale boost but potentially catalyze a change in fortunes for Brian Keefe‘s team, who are in need of a turnaround in their season. A strong performance against Boston could reaffirm Brogdon’s value and potentially influence his role within the team as the season progresses.